What Are Refrigerants?
Refrigerants are essential for air conditioners. Usually found in either fluid or gaseous forms, refrigerant works to absorb heat from the environment and produce cooler air in its place.
Without refrigerant, an air conditioning unit would not be able to produce cool air, leaving homeowners to suffer through the heat of summer.
Which Refrigerant to Use
First, homeowners should be aware of the risk involved when using the wrong type of refrigerant. Refrigerants are not interchangeable, and using the wrong type could cause significant damage to the unit, so homeowners should use caution when buying refrigerants.
To determine what type of refrigerant an air conditioning system uses, it is recommended to check the appliance. There will usually be a large sticker with information about the unit, and one can often find the refrigerant type on this sticker. Homeowners can also check the user manual if there is no indication of what type of refrigerant to use.
In cases where either of those options are unavailable, one should consult an AC technician to figure out what kind of refrigerant should be used in the system. It is good to note that if an air conditioner was built before 2010, it is likely the refrigerant used was R22 refrigerant, or Freon. However, Freon was banned for use in newer air conditioners due to it being linked to environmental damages.
Causes of Refrigerant Leaks
There are a few causes that are attributed to refrigerant leaks. The most common cause is metal erosion caused by formic acid or formaldehyde corrosion that occurs over time. Normal wear and tear can also cause refrigerant leaks. Rust can also cause refrigerant leaks, and so can pin holes in the tubing due to acids. Another cause of these leaks is vibrations in the outdoor unit. If the outdoor system is not properly sealed, then vibrations can damage the refrigerant lines.
Calling a Professional
- Indoor air that is humid: Air conditioners work to rid homes of humid conditions and a functioning air conditioner should be able to dehumidify homes within 15 minutes. If the air conditioner is not keeping things dehumidified, then a refrigerant leak is the likely culprit.
- Insufficient cooling: Because refrigerant works to absorb heat and replace it with cool air, if there’s a leak and refrigerant levels are lower than normal, this process can not take place effectively. There may be other issues resulting in insufficient cooling, but if those are ruled out then it’s probably a refrigerant leak.
- Longer than normal cooling cycles: AC units experiencing a refrigerant leak will have a harder time putting out cool air, thus leading to a struggle to reach the temperature set on the thermostat. In this case, the unit will run for longer periods to try and reach that temperature.
- Costly utility bills: If the refrigerant is leaking, the AC unit must work harder to keep the home cool. Because of this, the electric bill will be significantly higher than normal.
- Evaporator coils that are frozen: If an AC unit experiences frozen coils, or ice crystals forming on the evaporator coils, this is often due to a refrigerant leak. This is due to the evaporator coils being unable to absorb heat as they should and condensation forming as a result.
- Bubbling and hissing noises: When a refrigerant leak happens, it’s often related to tiny holes or cracks that have formed in the coils. The refrigerant that leaks through these holes or cracks is met with high pressure and can produce a hissing or bubbling sound.
Homeowners who notice these signs should contact a professional HVAC service immediately. One should not ignore problems like this. If they are, worse damage can occur.
About 360 Air Tech
360 Air Tech is a reliable HVAC company offering upfront pricing, same-day service, on-time arrivals, and the latest in technology and equipment to ensure that the job gets done right the first time. Their technicians are experienced and trustworthy and are NATE-certified, meaning homeowners can rest assured that their HVAC unit will be in the best hands. Contact them for AC service in Williamsburg.
